Method and system for service integration in a multi-service communication system

ABSTRACT

A method ( 500 ), communication system ( 10 ) and portable communication unit ( 31, 32, 33 ) capable of integrating a plurality of communication services can include a transceiver and a processor ( 34 ) coupled to the transceiver. The processor coupled to the transceiver can be programmed to receive ( 508 ) at least one request among a dispatch call request, an interconnect call request, and a packet data session request while the portable communication unit is in an active session with at least one among an existing dispatch call, an existing interconnect call, and an existing packet data session, provide notification ( 512 ) of the at least one request while in the active session, and enable a selection ( 514 ) among a rejection of the at least one request, an acceptance of the at least one request, and a message response to the at least one request.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communication systems, and moreparticularly to a method and system for integrated communicationservices among disparate networks or services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several wireless communication systems offer multiple services orfeatures that are not fully integrated in the sense that communicationin a first mode can easily and seamlessly be interrupted for requestsfor communication in a second mode. In one well known existing systemoffering interconnect (or cellular) communication, dispatch services,and packet data based services all on a single communication system, auser in a dispatch call cannot be interrupted or even notified ofanother incoming dispatch or interconnect call. Wire-line basedtelecommunication services have provided comparable integrated servicesin the form of caller ID and call waiting for many years for generally asingle communication mode, namely voice communication. The advent ofdisparate wireless communication systems converging on a single systemor being provided by a single service provider has left an unfulfilledgap in the road to integration and convergence in the wireless servicesarena. No existing system with multiple disparate communication systemsoffers a choice to the user whether to take incoming calls or servicesthat are in a different mode or service than their current communicationmode. Nor is there an existing system that offers notification of anincoming dispatch call during a dispatch call.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system of integrating a plurality of communication servicescan enable a user to be notified and either accept or rejectcommunication services in a current mode or a different mode than theircurrent mode from a third party. For example, a user can be notified andaccept or reject a third party dispatch call request or an interconnectrequest while in current dispatch call or a current interconnect call.Another example can enable a user to be notified and either accept orreject a third party dispatch call request or interconnect call requestwhile in a packet data session.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of integratinga plurality of wireless communication services can include the steps ofreceiving at least one request among a dispatch call request, aninterconnect call request, and a packet data session request while acommunication unit is in an active session with at least one among anexisting dispatch call, an existing interconnect call, and an existingpacket data session, notifying the communication unit with the at leastone request while in the active session, and enabling a selection amonga rejection of the at least one request, an acceptance of the at leastone request, and a message response to the at least one request. Therequest can be for a different service than the active session or for adispatch call request when on an existing dispatch call. The method canfurther include the step of transmitting the at least one request by athird communication unit while the communication unit is in the activesession with a second communication unit. The third communication unitcan transmit the at least one request to a base station transceiver andthe base station transceiver can transmit the request to thecommunication unit via the second communication unit. The request can beforwarded by the second communication unit to the communication unitusing a random access channel. The step of receiving at least onerequest among the dispatch call request and the interconnect callrequest while the communication unit is in the active session with atleast one among an existing dispatch call and an existing interconnectcall can be done by using Associated Control Procedure signalingmessages that are embedded in a traffic channel by performing symbolstealing. The method can further include the step of dropping the activesession between the communication unit and the second communication unitupon selecting to accept the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit or alternatively continuing the active sessionbetween the communication unit and the second communication unit uponselecting to reject the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a portablecommunication unit having a plurality of communication services caninclude a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver. Theprocessor can be programmed to receive at least one request among adispatch call request, an interconnect call request, and a packet datasession request while the portable communication unit is in an activesession with at least one among an existing dispatch call, an existinginterconnect call, and an existing packet data session, providenotification of the at least one request while in the active session,and enable a selection among a rejection of the at least one request, anacceptance of the at least one request, and a message response to the atleast one request. The portable communication unit can also include apresentation device such as a display or speaker for providing thenotification.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a communication systemproviding a plurality of communication services can include at least onebase station transceiver and a plurality of portable communication unitsin communication with the at least one base station. Each portablecommunication unit can include a transceiver and a processor coupled tothe transceiver. The processor can be programmed to receive at least onerequest among a dispatch call request, an interconnect call request, anda packet data session request while the portable communication unit isin an active session with at least one among an existing dispatch call,an existing interconnect call, and an existing packet data session,provide notification of the at least one request while in the activesession, and enable a selection among a rejection of the at least onerequest, an acceptance of the at least one request, and a messageresponse to the at least one request. The processor can further beprogrammed to receive the at least one request by a third communicationunit while the portable communication unit is in the active session witha second communication unit. The third communication unit can transmitthe at least one request to the at least one base station transceiverand the at least one base station transceiver can transmit the requestto the portable communication unit via the second communication unit.The request can be forwarded by the second communication unit to theportable communication unit using a random access channel. The processorcan be further programmed to receive at least one request among thedispatch call request and the interconnect call request while theportable communication unit is in the active session with at least oneamong an existing dispatch call and an existing interconnect call usingAssociated Control Procedure signaling messages that are embedded in atraffic channel by performing symbol stealing. The processor can befurther programmed to drop the active session between the portablecommunication unit and the second communication unit upon a selection toaccept the at least one request from the third communication unit oralternatively the processor can be programmed to continue the activesession between the portable communication unit and the secondcommunication unit upon a selection to reject the at least one requestfrom the third communication unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system that integratesvarious communication services in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a call flow for interconnect (or dispatch) call notificationduring an existing active dispatch in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a call flow for dispatch call notification during aninterconnect call in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a call flow for a dispatch or interconnect call notificationduring an existing packet data session in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of service integration in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows Table 1 and Table 2 for dispatch call interrupt fordispatch calling as referred to in the specification.

FIG. 7 shows Table 3 and Table 4 for dispatch call interrupt forinterconnect calling, as referred Lo in the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 10 is shown that can provideseveral different communication services to a plurality of mobilecommunication units or mobile stations 31 (MS1), 32 (MS2), and 33 (MS3)in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisinstance, the communication system 10 can be an iDEN system networkprovided by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. The system 10 can includea variety or hardware and software elements that form the operationcomponents of the system. As shown, some of the basic elements caninclude an enhanced base transceiver Station (EBTS) 12 coupled to bothan interconnect call processing module 14 and a dispatch call processingmodule 20. Each of the mobile stations 31, 32, and 33 can have aprocessor 34 programmed to receive communication services from the EBTS12 and transmit information to the EBTS 12 via an antenna 30. The EBTS12 can also include a component 11 such as a service integration module(SIM) that can determine the current state of a target mobile station.

The interconnect call processing module 14 can include a base sitecontroller (BSC) 16 coupled to a mobile switching center (MSC) 18 forhandling interconnect (cellular) and circuit switched calls. The MSC 18can be coupled to home location registers (HLR) and visitor locationregisters (VLR) for providing mobility management as known in the art.The BSC 16 can provide control and concentration functions for one ormore EBTS sites and their associated mobile communication units ormobile stations (MS).

The dispatch call processing module 20 can include a metro packet switch(MPS) 22 coupled to a dispatch application processor (DAP) 24 forprocessing dispatch calls and packet data. The DAP 24 can also becoupled to home location registers (HLR) and visitor location registers(VLR) for providing mobility management as known in the art. In the caseof packet data, the MPS 22 can route such packet data via a mobile datagateway (MDG) 26 and onto the Internet or an intranet as desired.

Referring to FIG. 2, a call flow 200 for dispatch or interconnect callnotification during an existing dispatch call is shown. Furtherreferring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, for dispatch service integration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a third party(MS3) can interrupt an active dispatch call. In this instance, twoparties, caller (MS1) and callee (MS2) are in the middle of a dispatchcall and the third party (MS3) wants to make an interconnect or dispatchcall with MS1 or MS2. The EBTS 12 decides the routing of a call toeither the DAP 24 in the case of a dispatch call or the MSC 18 in thecase of an interconnect call. Here, the SIM at the EBTS decides on thebasis of current status of a MS. If a called MS is in a dispatch call,then the EBTS can route the interconnect call to the DAP. The DAP canthen notify a called MS of an incoming call. The callee MS2 can benotified directly but the caller MS1 can be notified via MS2.

If the incoming call is an interconnect call, the EBTS doesn'tnecessarily route a call to MSC but can send an incoming callnotification to MS1 via the DAP with an option to accept or reject acall and waits for a response from MS1. If MS1 responds with yes toaccept the call, then the DAP tears down the (dispatch) call between MS1and MS2 and allows the EBTS to route the (interconnect) call to MSCwhich then sends a page request to MS1. In case of a dispatch call, thecall is routed to the DAP and if MS1 is the party that third party MS3is trying to reach has a push-to-talk (PTT) button pushed, a fixednetwork equipment (FNE) portion of the system 10 sends an AssociatedControl Procedure (ACP) request to MS2 on an Associated Control Channel(ACCH) to Forward a message to MS1. With respect to ACP Messaging, aframework currently exists in Motorola's iDEN infrastructure or FNEequipment for adding new ACP messages on a traffic channel. The maximumpacket size can be programmable and can be set at 30 bytes for example.ACP messages are either reliable or non-reliable. For reliable messages,a subscriber receives an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgment(ACK or NACK) from the DAP. A new ACP message op-code can be added toexisting ACP messages as DISPATCH_CALL_WAITING and such a deliverymechanism can also exist in the mobile stations. The FNE sends a PC PageRequest to MS2 for MS1. Depending on the response from MS1, the FNEsends either a Call Grant or Call Complete signal (with a Reject Request(RR) causing a user is busy indication) to MS3. In case of rejecting thenew request, MS1 does not send anything and based on timer threshold,the FNE sends the Call complete automatically. The bandwidth for theACCH is obtained by stealing symbols from the traffic channel (TCH). TheACCH is embedded in and associated with a TCH. If the MS1 that the thirdparty is trying to reach is listening, then the FNE sends an ACP requestto MS1 on the ACCH.

Referring to a more specific example as shown in FIG. 2, at step 201, anongoing dispatch call can exist between MS1 and MS2. At step 202, whileMS1 is talking to MS2, another party (MS3) wants to establish either adispatch call or an interconnect call with MS1. At step 203, a ServiceRequest is received at the EBTS from MS3. After determining that MS1 isbusy in a dispatch call, the SIM (scc item 11 in FIG. 1) at the EBTSdoesn't route a cull to the MSC, but sends an incoming call informationto the DAP. If MS1 responded in yes to accept the call, then the DAPtears down the call between MS1 and MS2 and allows EBTS to route a callto MSC which then sends a page request to MS1. At step 204 in thisexample, if the MS1 that the third party MS3 is trying to reach has aPTT pushed, the DAP sends an ACP request to MS2 on the ACCH to forward amessage to MS1. The DAP sends a PC Page Request to MS2 for MS1.Depending on the response from MS1, the FNE sends either a Call Grant orCall Complete (with reject response (RR) causing a busy user indication)to MS3. In case of rejecting (or ignoring) the new request, MS1 does notsend anything and based on a timer threshold, the DAP sends the Callcomplete indication (between MS1 and MS2) to the MS3 automatically. Thebandwidth for the ACCH is obtained by stealing a symbol from the TCH.The ACCH is embedded in and associated with a TCH.

If the MS1 that the third party is trying to reach is listening, thenthe DAP sends an ACP request to MS1 on the ACCH. Bandwidth for the ACCHis obtained by stealing a symbol from the TCH. Alternatively, MS2 canforward a message it receives from the FNE to MS1 on behalf of MS3 usinga random access cannel (RACH). The RACH uses an Interrupt message tospecify a type of Interruption.

For a Dispatch call request, the FNE can send an Interrupt message, asshown in Table 1 of FIG. 6, with a Dispatch ID of the originator (MS3)to MS1 through MS2 if MS1 is transmitting or direct to MS1 if MS1 islistening. The Interrupt message can have an associated Message Type, asshown in Table 2 of FIG. 6, to specify the notification of a dispatchcall.

In the case of an interconnect call request, the DAP can sendessentially the same Interrupt message, as shown in Table 3 of FIG. 7,with a different Message Type, as shown in Table 4 of FIG. 7, to specifythe notification of an interconnect call instead.

At step 205, if MS1 responded “yes” to accept the call, then the DAPtears down the call between MS1 and MS2 and allows EBTS to route a callto the MSC which then sends a page request to MS1.

Referring to FIG. 3, a call flow 300 for dispatch notification during anexisting interconnect call is shown. A dispatch call notification duringan interconnect call would allow user to avoid missing importantdispatch calls. When a SIM at the EBTS determines that the called MS ison an interconnect call, it doesn't route a request to the DAP andinstead notifies the MSC of an incoming dispatch call. MSC can use acall waiting mechanism to inform the called MS of an incoming call. Therejecting dispatch call request does not require any additional messageback to FNE (EBTS), it can time out and send a message back to a callingparty, but acceptance of the call results in dropping the interconnectcall by the MSC and allows the EBTS to route a call to the DAP whichthen sends a Dispatch call page request to the called MS.

More specifically, at step 301, MS1 can be on an interconnect call withMS2. At step 302, MS3 can send a dispatch call connect request for MS1to EBTS. At step 303, the SIM at the EBTS (after determining that thecalled MS is in a interconnect call) sends a request to the MSC. At step304, the MSC uses a call waiting mechanism to send a dispatch call ID toa called MS. On acceptance by MS1, MSC notifies the SIM at the EBTS. Atstep 305, the SIM at the EBTS can then route a call to the DAP and theDAP sends a Dispatch call page request to MS1. Upon response from MS1,the DAP sends a response to MS3 and a dispatch call is established.

Referring to FIG. 4, a call flow 400 illustrates either dispatch orinterconnect notification during a packet data session. A user radio canenter into a “packet data session” when a user receives a grant. Asession “hang timer”, fixed at 12 seconds in this embodiment, will keepan idle user radio on a packet channel (PCH) in-between either upload ordownload transmissions. The session hang timer can be reset wheneverpackets involving that user radio are transferred in either direction.The user radio can return to a primary control channel (PCCH) when thesession timer expires.

The operation of the packet channel is very different from that of voicecall channels. The packet channel is a shared channel for all users,rather than a specific set of slots set aside for an individual. Due tothe channel being assigned various slot patterns, the users are oftenable to use contiguous slots (using Dynamic Channel AllocationProtocol). Packet channel communications also results in a need for themobile subscriber (MS) to be made aware of the current channel slotallocations. Packet channel communications also benefits from allocationprocedures that enable users to know whose turn it is to use the packetchannel.

Since the channel is shared between users, a message from a third partycan be sent to a MS currently busy in data activity. When the EBTSreceives a Dispatch or interconnect call request for a handset busy indata, the EBTS can forward a message to the appropriate service, (i.e.,either the DAP in the case of dispatch call or the MSC in case of aninterconnect call). The MSC or DAP (as the case may be) notifies the MSof a call request. Depending upon a user response, the MS either canterminate a packet data session and accept a call by sending a pageresponse or rejects a call.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, step 401 illustrates MS1 busy in packetdata activity. MS2 can then send a Dispatch/interconnect call request tothe EBTS. At step 402, the SIM at the EBTS can then determine that thecalled handset is busy in data. The EBTS informs DAP/MSC to send arequest to MS1. At step 403, the DAP/MSC sends a request to MS1. MS1displays the message on screen to notify the user of a dispatch or aninterconnect call request. On acceptance of a request, the handset (MS)tears down a packet data connection. At step 404, MS1 can send a pageresponse to DAP/MSC and according to the response from MS1, the DAP/MSCcan send a call response to MS2 and establish a call.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrating a method 500 ofintegrating a plurality of wireless communication services is shown. Themethod 500 can include the step of transmitting a request by a thirdcommunication unit while a (first) communication unit is in an activesession with a second communication unit. Optionally, the thirdcommunication unit can transmit the request to a base stationtransceiver and the base station transceiver can transmit the request tothe (first) communication unit via the second communication unit at step504. In one embodiment, the second communication unit can forward therequest to the (first) communication unit using a random access channel(RACH) at optional step 506, although the present invention is certainlynot limited to such option. At step 508, while the communication unit isin an active session with at least one among an existing dispatch call,an existing interconnect call, and an existing packet data session, thecommunication unit can receive at least one request among a dispatchcall request, an interconnect call request, and a packet data sessionrequest. At optional step 510, Associated Control Procedure (ACP)signaling messages that are embedded in a traffic channel by performingsymbol stealing are used in the step of receiving at least one requestamong the dispatch call request and the interconnect call request whilethe communication unit is in the active session with at least one amongan existing dispatch call and an existing interconnect call (a portionof step 508). Next, at step 512, the communication unit is notified withthe at least one request while in the active session and at step 514,the communication unit is enabled to select among a rejection of therequest (by either merely ignoring the request or actively responding tothe request), an acceptance of the request, and a message response tothe request. At step 516, the communication system can drop the activesession between the communication unit and the second communication unitupon selecting to accept the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit or alternatively continue the active session betweenthe communication unit and the second communication unit upon selectingto reject the at least one request from the third communication unit.

In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized thatembodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized inhardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A networkor system according to the present invention can be realized in acentralized fashion in one computer system or processor, or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems or processors (such as a microprocessorand a DSP). Any kind of computer system, or other apparatus adapted forcarrying out the functions described herein, is suited. A typicalcombination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computersystem with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed,controls the computer system such that it carries out the functionsdescribed herein.

Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example onlyand is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except asset forth in the following claims. For example, the concepts disclosedand claimed herein are contemplated for use with other communicationsystems having various services such as push-to-talk over cellular (PoC)or systems having messaging and cellular. The variety of services thatcan be integrated are not limited to those disclosed herein.

1. A method of integrating a plurality of wireless communicationservices, comprising the steps of: receiving at least one request for aservice among a dispatch call request, an interconnect call request, anda packet data session request while a communication unit is in an activesession with at least one among an existing dispatch call, an existinginterconnect call, and an existing packet data session, wherein the atleast one request is for a different service than the active session orfor a dispatch call request when on an existing dispatch call; notifyingthe communication unit with the at least one request while in the activesession; and enabling a selection among a rejection of the at least onerequest, an acceptance of the at least one request, and a messageresponse to the at least one request.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe method further comprises the step of transmitting the at least onerequest by a third communication unit while the communication unit is inthe active session with a second communication unit.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the third communication unit transmits the at least onerequest to a base station transceiver and the base station transceivertransmits the request to the communication unit via the secondcommunication unit.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least onerequest is forwarded by the second communication unit to thecommunication unit using a random access channel.
 5. The method of claim3, wherein the method further comprises the step of dropping the activesession between the communication unit and the second communication unitupon selecting to accept the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the method furthercomprises the step of continuing the active session between thecommunication unit and the second communication unit upon selecting toreject the at least one request from the third communication unit. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving at least onerequest among the dispatch call request and the interconnect callrequest while the communication unit is in the active session with atleast one among an existing dispatch call and an existing interconnectcall is done by using Associated Control Procedure signaling messagesthat are embedded in a traffic channel by performing symbol stealing. 8.A portable communication unit having a plurality of communicationservices, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to thetransceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: receive at leastone request among a dispatch call request, an interconnect call request,and a packet data session request while the portable communication unitis in an active session with at least one among an existing dispatchcall, an existing interconnect call, and an existing packet datasession; provide notification of the at least one request while in theactive session; and enable a selection among a rejection of the at leastone request, an acceptance of the at least one request, and a messageresponse to the at least one request.
 9. The portable communication unitof claim 8, wherein the unit further comprises a presentation device forproviding the notification selected among the group comprising a displayand a speaker.
 10. A communication system providing a plurality ofcommunication services, comprising: at least one base stationtransceiver; a plurality of portable communication units incommunication with the at least one base station, wherein each portablecommunication unit comprises: a transceiver; and a processor coupled tothe transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: receive atleast one request among a dispatch call request, an interconnect callrequest, and a packet data session request while the portablecommunication unit is in an active session with at least one among anexisting dispatch call, an existing interconnect call, and an existingpacket data session; provide notification of the at least one requestwhile in the active session; and enable a selection among a rejection ofthe at least one request, an acceptance of the at least one request, anda message response to the at least one request.
 11. The communicationsystem of claim 10, wherein the processor is further programmed toreceive the at least one request by a third communication unit while theportable communication unit is in the active session with a secondcommunication unit.
 12. The communication system of claim 11, whereinthe third communication unit transmits the at least one request to theat least one base station transceiver and the at least one base stationtransceiver transmits the request to the portable communication unit viathe second communication unit.
 13. The communication system of claim 12,wherein the at least one request is forwarded by the secondcommunication unit to the portable communication unit using a randomaccess channel.
 14. The communication system of claim 12, wherein theprocessor is further programmed to drop the active session between theportable communication unit and the second communication unit upon aselection to accept the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit.
 15. The communication system of claim 12, whereinthe processor is further programmed to continue the active sessionbetween the portable communication unit and the second communicationunit upon a selection to reject the at least one request from the thirdcommunication unit.
 16. The communication system of claim 10, whereinthe processor is further programmed to receive at least one requestamong the dispatch call request and the interconnect call request whilethe portable communication unit is in the active session with at leastone among an existing dispatch call and an existing interconnect callusing Associated Control Procedure signaling messages that are embeddedin a traffic channel by performing symbol stealing.